​The preparation of district and microdistrict celebratory activities and snow and ice forts, which are set to open this weekend, is entering the home stretch. This year, the concept of celebrating the New Year in Krasnoyarsk is "Winter Symphony", since 2025 marks the 185th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Each of the festive locations is dedicated to the theme of music, but in its own unique way. For example, at the location of the Sovetsky District, scanning QR codes put on ice sculptures will lead to a page of various musical pieces of the composer to listen to.

The city's main New Year's tree on Tatyshev Island will be lit up on December 27. The idea of its opening is "uniting seven notes as seven districts of the city", but the organizers have not yet disclosed the details of the festive ceremony.

Head of the Department of Social Development Evgeniya Yuryeva shared her thoughts on the preparations:

— New Year is a heartwarming family holiday. We want to share the warmth with those who need support most now. From today, our youth centres are starting a project titled "New Year's corps". Our Father Frost and Snow Maiden will be visiting kids from the families in need and giving out gift boxes.

This year, thanks to the financial support of the Honorary Citizen of the Krasnoyarsk Region and Krasnoyarsk City Mr. Sovmen, more than 76 thousand children will receive New Year's gifts. Those include primary school students, including those who are homeschooled, and the students of special education schools, as well as children from low-income families and families in difficult life situations.

This year, the kids will get a penguin-shaped backpack filled with candy. Each gift, in addition to sweets, will contain a New Year's interactive giftcard. Scanning the QR code will lead to a game – a quiz about famous melodies from Soviet cartoons. To implement this idea in a quality manner, the organizers cooperated with the Soyuzmultfilm studio and secured the support of the country's leading animators.

The second QR code placed on the card will lead to a sticker set with the favorite places of the locals, famous Krasnoyarsk residents and symbols of the city for the Telegram messenger.

Head of the Main Education Department Marina Aksenova on the events for the celebrations:

— In day care centres and schools, a series of New Year's events will begin on December 18 and end on December 28. Preschools and general education institutions choose the format for the festive events themselves independently, but it's usually New Year's performances and plays with the participation of Father Frost, Snow Maiden and other fairy tale characters.

A special addition to the celebrations this year in Krasnoyarsk will be the Festival "Magic Ice of Siberia". In 2025 it has once again acquired international status. Guests from China, Mongolia and Belarus will take part in the event. The geography of participation from Russia is also wide: from Khabarovsk to Sochi. For the first time, the general sponsor of the event will be RUSAL, which will also take part in the competition.

The traditional annual festival of snow and ice sculptures starts with the youth competition. The embankment itself is also ready: three art galleries have appeared here, several ice sculptures depicting characters from Tchaikovsky's works already decorating the area​. 

Head of the Main Department of Culture Lyubov Sakharova:

— Every day of the celebrations will be filled to the brim with activities and events. Throughout the entire programme, the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be heard on the embankment. We invite all Krasnoyarsk residents and guests of our city to take a walk and enjoy the beauty with us.​